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Coalition looks to ease desal plant cost

The Victorian Coalition says it will assess the contract for the Wonthaggi desalination plant, in the state's south-east, to see how it can minimise the cost of the project.

Premier-elect Ted Ballieu reaffirmed his commitment to release details of the contract earlier this week as part of his plans for an open and transparent government.

The Member for Bass, Ken Smith, says the Brumby government tried to hide documents about how much the project would cost Victorians.

He says the Coalition will provide further scrutiny of the desalination contract.

"We've had some prices that have come through from the auditor-general where they were talking in excess of $18 billion and we're going to be making sure that if there are any loopholes here that the people of Victoria are not going to be charged more than they're supposed to be charged," he said.